Simon Cooper (banker)
Simon Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Born | United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Banking executive |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Known for | CEO of Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered (2016–2024); Chief Executive of Global Commercial Banking at HSBC |
| Notable work | Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council at Standard Chartered; Chair of Advisory Board at Lee Kong Chian School of Business |
Simon Cooper is a British banking executive who held the position of CEO for the Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking division at Standard Chartered from 2016 until 2024. In this role, he managed the bank's largest global segment, generating nearly USD 12 billion in operating income. Additionally, he was responsible for the Europe and Americas regions and chaired the institution's global Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Prior to joining Standard Chartered, Cooper dedicated 26 years to HSBC, where he advanced to become the chief executive of Global Commercial Banking.
Education
Cooper earned an MA in Law from Jesus College, Cambridge and is also a graduate of Columbia Business School.
HSBC Group
Cooper began his professional journey in 1989 at London-based merchant bank Samuel Montagu & Co.. Following its acquisition by HSBC Group, he took on roles as a corporate finance director across London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. His leadership positions expanded to include president and CEO of HSBC Korea, managing director and head of Corporate and Investment Banking in Singapore, as well as deputy CEO for HSBC Thailand. Elevated to Group General Manager in 2008, he was responsible for HSBC’s operations in the MENA region and eventually served as group managing director and CEO of Global Commercial Banking.
His board service extended to roles such as chairman or member of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E., HSBC Bank Oman SAOG, and The Saudi British Bank.
Standard Chartered Bank
On 17 December 2015, Standard Chartered Bank announced Cooper’s appointment as head of its Corporate and Institutional Banking division effective April 2016,<ref> with his base in Singapore. Two years later, his responsibilities broadened to include oversight of the commercial banking segment, leading to the creation of the Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CCIB) division,<ref> which serves corporations and financial institutions across roughly sixty countries.<ref>
Cooper also holds the position of Chair on the Advisory Board at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business.<ref>